House committee plans special ANWR session

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FAIRBANKS (AP)  A proposal to develop oil in the Arctic National Wild-life Refuge released by the chairman of the U.S. House Resources Committee contains far more provisions than a Senate version.

Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., released a draft version Monday that would direct the Interior Department to sell oil leases in the refuge under a list of conditions that covers about 25 pages.

The Resources Committee will meet to consider the language today.

The House, in a budget resolution passed earlier this year, asked the committee to produce legislation that would create $2.4 billion in extra federal revenues over five years. The unwritten intent was that the money would come from oil lease sales in ANWR.

To meet the $2.4 billion, Pombo also proposes to charge more for mining claims, develop oil shale and let coastal states opt out of congressional moratoriums on offshore oil leasing.

''America needs more American energy and Congress must cut the deficit,'' Pombo said. ''That makes this a win-win package for the American public.''